MATCH FACTS: Egypt tackle debutants Sierra Leone in second Group A encounter

Hosts Egypt will look to record a second win at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Egypt 2025 when they take on Sierra Leone in Group A at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Wednesday (kick-off 21:00 local time / 18:00 GMT).

Egypt won their opener 1-0 against South Africa on Sunday, while debutants Sierra Leone drew 0-0 with Zambia.

Egypt’s last game against a tournament debutant was in the 2005 semi-finals versus Benin. The game ended 1-1 before they won on penalties. Prior to that they drew 0-0 in the group stages against Senegal.

Overall Egypt’s record, including games over two legs, against tournament debutants going back to 1979 reads P10 W3 D4 L3.

EGYPT FACTS
·      Egypt had failed to win their opening game at the last two finals. They drew 0-0 with Mali and Mozambique in 2017 and 2023.

·      Egypt won their opening game for the first time since the 2013 when they Ghana 2-1 in 2013.

·      Egypt’s win over South Africa saw them end a run of seven games at the finals without a win in open play (D5 L2).

·      Their win over South Africa was Egypt’s first win in open play at the finals since a 2-0 triumph over Nigeria in the 2013 semi-finals.

·      Egypt’s win over South Africa saw them end a run of six group games with out a win (D4 L2). It was their first group stage win since a 1-0 triumph over Benin in their final group game in 2013.

·      Victory for Egypt will see them win their opening two group games for the first time since 2013 when they won 2-1 against Ghana and followed it up with a 1-0 win over Algeria.

·      Egypt have failed to win their last four group games against West African teams at the finals. They lost to Nigeria and Senegal in 2023. Prior to that they drew Mali and Ghana in 2017.

·      Egypt’s last group stage win against West African opponents was a 1-0 triumph over Benin in their final group game in 2013.

·      Egypt completed just 229 passes in their opening game win against South Africa. Ahmed Kabaka managed to complete 49, the most in their team in the game.

SIERRA LEONE FACTS
·      Sierra Leone their opening game against Zambia 0-0, their first at the finals.

·      They managed to complete 288 passes against but Sierra Leone will be looking to open their goal scoring account in this game.

·      Nathaniel Jalloh was fouled seven times in their game against Zambia, the most fouled player in the game.

·      Jalloh was also involved in 19 duels in the game and won 13, more than any other player.

·      Amara Keita lost possession 26 times in the game against Zambia, no player lost possession on as many occasions as he did.

·      Alpha Turay made five clearances against Zambia, the most by a Sierre Leone player in the game, and the joint most in the match.